Are you risking your pets life?

It’s a common misconception to think that all dogs know how to swim. While dogs drowning in pools rarely make the news, people don’t realize how often this actually happens. It is estimated that over 5,000 family pets drown in backyard pools each year.

While we wouldn’t think to leave our dogs in a hot car, we need to also think we would never leave our dog around an unfenced pool either. Since your dog typically can’t make these decisions not to be left in a hot car or be left around an unfenced pool, the safety actions provided are for you to act upon because chances are your pet(s) can’t read either.

 

Now perhaps you’re saying to yourself “My dog never goes near the pool. He’s afraid of water. He hates baths he definitely doesn’t want to go in the pool.” A dog running by

the pool can slip and fall in. A dog playing with another dog can be pushed in. A dog that never has gone into water just does, and the reason why is never known. So the fact that your pet has yet to drown in the family pool is like rolling the dice. And, maybe your dog will never fall in the pool but as a pet owner you need to be reminded that you are responsible for the care and safety of your pet.

 

Follow the layers of protection:

·       Train your dog to know where your pool steps are and how to find his way out in case he does find himself alone in the pool. Don’t assume your dog knows where they are and due to a dog’s physical build, the ability to find the stairs is their only hope in survival.

·        ALWAYS know where pets and children are. Never leave a child unattended in or near water in a pool, tub, lake, river, canal or ocean, even when lifeguards are present.

·        If a pet or child is missing, always check the pool or spa first.

·       Install “isolation fencing” which completely separates the pool or spa area from the house or other structures. An isolation fence restricts unauthorized access from neighbors’ yards, other nearby buildings, and from inside the house. Isolation fencing is the preferred configuration for pool and spa protection.

·        All fences must be non-climbable, meet all applicable local safety codes, and should be at least 60” tall, with vertical bars set close to one another so that a small pet child cannot squeeze through, consider the Puppy Guard Add On like these offered by American One Fence & Railing.

·       Pool gates should be self-closing and self-latching and accommodate a locking device such as the rust-free MagnaLatch® Top Pull or the MagnaLatch® Vertical Pull (also known as the pet safey latch), along with self-closing hinges like the TruClose®.

·      Gates should open away from the pool and have self-closing hinges, and should never be propped open. Check and adjust your gate regularly to make sure it operates correctly.

·      Keep anything that can be climbed, such as chairs, tables, storage bins, playground equipment, ice chests, etc. inside the fence area.

 

Summer Safety Tips for your Kids (and You)

With summer solstice on the horizon, it seems appropriate to provide a summer safety tip sheet.

 

It’s estimated that every year, one in four kids ages 14 and younger will sustain an injury that requires medical attention. 40% of all injury-related emergency room visits and 42% of all injury deaths happen between May and August. This summer, let’s educate our kids (and ourselves) on safety so we can reduce 90% of these accidents.

Sunburn

Regardless of age and skin type, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends that everyone, adults and kids alike, apply a water-resistant sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays every day of the year (even in winter and on cloudy days). Choose a sunscreen that is at least SPF 30 and apply it 15 to 30 minutes before going outside. (If you're using both sunscreen and insect repellent, apply sunscreen first and then repellent.)

 

Bites

Repellents don’t kill insects, but they can reduce bites from mosquitoes, ticks and other bothersome bugs. There are two type of repellents, those with DEET and those without. While it’s advised that DEET on kids should be used “sparingly” and should NOT be used on infants, it’s probably safe to say let’s not use repellents with DEETS at all. We are trying to avoid accidents right? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends repellents that contain picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus, both are non-toxic and able to reduce mosquito bites just as well as formulas with low levels of DEET.

 

Pool Safety

Never leave kids alone near the pool, no matter what their ages or swim capabilities are. Parents can and should take precautions around home pools, in addition to closely supervising kids while they swim. Installing fencing around pools, at least 5-feet high, all the way around and with a self-closing, self-latching gate, like the MagnaLatch and TruClose adjustable, self-closing gate hinges, can prevent 50 to 90 percent of accidental drowning incidents. For a full list of layers of protection, visit http://www.poolsafely.gov/  

Playground Safety

The CPSC reports over 205,000 kids visit emergency rooms with playground-related injuries each year. Check the playground equipment before letting kids play on it. For example, surfaces that are too hot can cause burns, and loose ropes can cause accidental strangulation. The ground should be covered in a protective surface such as rubber mats, wood or rubber mulch or wood chips, never grass, asphalt or concrete. The right surface materials could reduce the risk of head injury or other severe injury in the event of a fall.

Bike Rides

Over 300,000 kids each year visit the emergency room due to bike-related injuries, some result in death or severe brain injury. Helmets can greatly reduce your child’s risk of that ER visit. The CPSC sets standards for helmets, so look for the seal of approval. Also, as you ride with your child set an example and put a helmet on too.

Overheating & Hydration

Staying hydrated in hot weather can help reduce the risk of heat-related illness. If you’re feeling thirsty, you are already mildly dehydrated. Keep water or sports drinks (with electrolytes) on hand to maintain hydration, and try to stay in a shady or air-conditioned location during the hottest parts of the afternoon. Mild symptoms of heat exhaustion may include feeling thirsty, fatigue and cramps (legs or abdominal). If left untreated, heat exhaustion can progress to heatstroke.

For the sake of our child’s safety let’s be reminded that kids need us to teach them, guide them and protect them.